Diamondbacks' Justin Upton is signed for $9.75 million next season, $14.25 million in 2014 and $14.5 million in 2015. / Jennifer Stewart, US PRESSWIRE

by Bob Nightengale, USA TODAY Sports

by Bob Nightengale, USA TODAY Sports

Justin Upton became the hottest trade topic with teams sensing that the Arizona Diamondbacks will trade their right fielder.

The Texas Rangers have expressed strong interest, according to an executive directly involved with the talks, but they have resisted the Diamondbacks' request for shortstops Elvis Andrus or Jurickson Profar. The executive spoke to USA TODAY Sports on condition of anonymity because talks are ongoing.

"We've always said that if a team wants to talk about any of our players, including Justin Upton, that we would listen," Diamondbacks team president/CEO Derrick Hall said. "We owe it to our fans to look at all ways to improve our team."

"He will not be an easy guy for us to move," Diamondbacks general manger Kevin Towers said. "I think we've said it's probably unlikely we end up doing something with him, but if somebody is willing to step up and we think it's a deal that's going to make the Diamondbacks better next year and going forward, we'll talk about trading him."

The Boston Red Sox also have shown interest, but according to a person with knowledge of Upton's preferences, the Red Sox are one of four teams on Upton's newly submitted no-trade list.

Upton was on the trading block during at the July 31 trade deadline, but not dealt. When he was approached about the topic in September, he said: "I understand that this is baseball and I'm going to approach my off-season the same way I would. I'm going to go home, play golf, enjoy my family, do whatever I've got to do. If they call me and tell me I got traded, then that's what happens. I'm not going to worry myself about it. Whatever happens, happens."

Upton, 25, and the younger brother of free agent B.J. Upton. He is signed for $9.75 million next season, $14.25 million in 2014 and $14.5 million in 2015.